By Kamsi Anayo
There was tension in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Tuesday morning as suspected gunmen stormed a ranch and slaughtered four herders and several cattle.
Amidst the apprehension, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) appealed for calm among its members.
The body expressed the confidence that Anambra state government and security operatives would bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.
The four slain herders were confirmed to be from the same family, a development that is currently unsettling the capital city.
Gidado Siddiki, the National Deputy Director-General of the body in a statement bemoaned the incident.
He said: “The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) regrets to announce a tragic attack that occurred today, 21 July 2026, at the cattle camp of Alhaji Aminu Mohammed in Ifite Awka Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“According to reports, unknown armed assailants invaded the cattle camp while the herders were peacefully engaged in their legitimate cattle-rearing activities.
“The attackers opened fire sporadically, resulting in the deaths of four herders, namely: Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi, and Sani Bujumi.
“Several cattle were also killed during the attack, while the assailants reportedly fled with some of the cattle carcasses towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community.
“One of the herders, Usman Iliyasu, narrowly escaped the attack.
“MACBAN strongly condemns this heinous and senseless attack and calls on all relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
“We also appeal to the Anambra State Government to take urgent steps to strengthen security and protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
“We sincerely appreciate the prompt response of the Joint Task Force and the Anambra State Government for their swift intervention and efforts in recovering the bodies of the deceased.
“Their timely action is commendable and demonstrates their commitment to maintaining peace and security.
“I also advise all our members to remain calm, stay within their camps, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“We urge everyone to cooperate fully with the security agencies and allow the government to carry out the necessary investigations and take appropriate action to ensure justice is served,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said: the Police-led joint security team operatives responded to the scene following a distress report.
“On arrival, the operatives discovered four male victims with fatal injuries.
“Preliminary observations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and sustained multiple injuries, including machete cuts and blunt force trauma. Also, two residential huts within the settlement were set ablaze during the attack.
“The Police further observed four dead cows within the vicinity, while two other cattle had been slaughtered, with portions of the meat removed by the assailants. Some sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were recovered a short distance from the scene.”
He noted that preliminary findings indicate that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes. One of the survivors escaped unharmed and is assisting the Police-led Joint Security Team with useful information for the investigation.
“The Anambra State Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that may aid the ongoing investigation. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he said.
